PURPOSE: To evaluate the phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in moderate malnutrition. METHODS: The phagocytic function of neutrophils obtained through peripheral blood sampling of twenty two children with moderate malnutrition without infections was analyzed. The results were compared to a group of twenty well nourished children matched for age (two to five years old). The phagocytic function was assessed by the ingestion of zymosan particles and nitro blue tetrazolium reduction among 200 cells. RESULTS: The mean number of zymosan particles ingested by neutrophils incubated with homologous human serum and autologous human serum were 18, 41 and 46 in the malnutrition group compared to 20, 57 and 63 in the well nourished group. The spontaneous and stimulated reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium was 6 and 11 in the malnourished patients, respectively, and 12 and 17 in the well nourished group. CONCLUSION: A decrease in the process of ingestion and digestion during phagocytosis occurs in malnourished patients.
Malnutrition; Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Oxidative Metabolism; Immune Response
